Bill Belichick’s time in the NFL spanned nearly five decades, but his tenure as the UNC Tar Heels coach might last just one season.
“Potential exit strategy” discussions regarding Belichick’s future have started after, according to 247 Sports’ Andrew Jones.
The talks don’t necessarily mean Belichick will be fired, but according to Jones, “preliminary discussions” about possibly moving on from the 73-year-old are not out of realm of possibility.
UNC is 2-3 on the season and all three losses have come by way of a blowout. The Tar Heels were outscored,120-33, against opponents in the losses.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio noted the discussions appear to stem from “potential rule violations” after reports surfaced that “an assistant coach was suspended for providing extra benefits” to the families of players, while players were selling the complimentary tickets they receive.
“There are many other violations that have occurred, many on the recruiting front,” Jones reported.
Belichick signed a five-year, $50 million contract with UNC in December. but UNC, according to Jones, could use the above violations as a potential way to get out from under Belichick’s contract.
After the success Belichick had in the NFL that included eight Super Bowl titles — six with the New England Patriots — there was optimism he’d bring some of his winning ways to Chapel Hill.
It hasn’t gone that way through UNC’s first five games, and a report surfaced that indicated the locker room is divided and the program is an “unstructured mess.”
ESPN’s Paul Finebaum called Belichick the “absolute laughingstock” of college football after UNC’s latest loss.
Aside from the product on the field, Belichick’s pettiness behind-the-scenes has been brought to light. The 73-year-old banned Patriots scouts from UNC practices because, in Belichick’s words, it’s clear he’s not welcome at New England’s facilities.
It was also reported that Belichick directed the school to not post anything Patriots-related to their social media accounts. Drake Maye, of course, played for UNC.
Hours after that report surfaced, UNC posted highlights of Maye from New England’s primetime win over the Buffalo Bills.
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